Dogwood plant named &#39;MADI-II&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new variety of  Cornus kousa  var.  chinensis  named ‘MADI-II’ which is characterized by upright shaped habit, light green leaves becoming yellow-orange in autumn, pumpkin-yellow fruit and white flowers. In combination, these characteristics distinguish ‘MADI-II’ from all other cultivars known to the inventor.

This application claims the benefit of priority under U.S.C. 119(e) ofU.S. Provisional Application No. 61/851,143 filed on Mar. 4, 2013entitled CORNUS PLANT NAMED ‘MANDARIN JEWEL’ and for which the inventornow wishes to file this application with the name or denomination‘MADI-II’.

GENUS

Cornus

SPECIES

kousa var. chinensis

DENOMINATION

‘MADI-II’

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of CORNUSkousa var. chinensis, commonly known as Chinese or Kousa Dogwood, whichis grown as an ornamental tree for residential and commerciallandscapes. The new cultivar is known botanically as Cornus kousa var.chinensis and will be referred hereinafter by the cultivar name‘MADI-II’. The ‘MADI-II’ cultivar was selected in 2004 from a group ofthree year old seedlings grown from open pollinated stock at Brotzman'sNursery, Inc., Madison, Ohio 44057 (41.8 N./81.06 W.). It was firstnoticed as having foliage and twigs much lighter in color than otherplants of this species. Subsequently, this plant displayed yellow-orangeautumn leaf color. First flowering occurred in 2008 and the resultingfruit were pumpkin-yellow in color, which defines the primarydistinguishing trait of our new variety. Normally plants of this specieshave orange-red fruit. These combined characteristics suggest anapparent lack of naturally occurring anthocyanin pigments.

The ‘MADI-II’ variety is the only selection we are aware of thatpossesses these distinguishing traits. There is a plant bearing yellowfruit in Europe called Cornus kousa ‘Xanthocarpa’ (not patented). Athorough search of the literature suggests that this selection iscurrently not in the United States. The following selections of ChineseDogwood, all of which produce reddish-orange fruit, are offered forcomparison: ‘Losely’ U.S. Plant Pat No. 23,423 which produces brightyellow leaves in mid-summer, flushing red: ‘Madison’ U.S. Plant Pat. No.16,129 with inconsistent bright yellow leaves in mid-summer, flushingred; ‘Miss Satomi’ (‘Satomi’) (not patented) which produces red-pinkflowers; ‘Temple Jewel’ (not patented) that produces new leaves withcentral yellow blotch, fading to green.

The ‘MADI-II’ variety was first asexually propagated by the inventor in2006 at his nursery in Madison, Ohio. Asexual propagation wasaccomplished by field budding. Since that time, under carefulobservation, the distinguishing characteristics of ‘MADI-II’ have beendetermined stable and uniform, and to reproduce true to type insuccessive generations of asexual propagation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The distinguishing characteristics of ‘MADI-II’ are as follows: Incombination these traits set ‘MADI-II’ apart from all other existingvarieties of Cornus kousa and Cornus kousa var. chinensis known to theinventor. ‘MADI-II’ has not been tested under all possible conditionsand phenotypic differences may be observed with variations inenvironmental, climatic and cultural conditions.

1. The fruit of ‘MADI-II’ are pumpkin-yellow in color

2. The leaves of ‘MADI-II’ are light green in color.

3. The autumn color of the leaves of ‘MADI-II’ are yellow-orange.

4. The tips of the new growth of ‘MADI-II’ are green.

5. The habit of ‘MADI-II’ is upright shape when young.

6. The flowering inflorescence of ‘MADI-II’ are profuse, white and withpartially overlapping white bracts.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying color drawings illustrate the distinguishingcharacteristics of ‘MADI-II’, namely its pumpkin-yellow fruit, lightgreen leaves, yellow-orange autumn leaf color, upright shaped habit andprofuse white flowers.

The drawing labeled 1/3 depicts the yellow-orange autumn leaf color of‘MADI-II’ growing in open ground, full sunlight conditions at theinventor's nursery.

The drawing labeled 2/3 depicts the upright habit of an eight year oldplant of ‘MADI-II’ growing in open ground and full sunlight at theinventor's nursery. It also illustrates the profuse, white floweringtrait of the selection.

The drawing labeled 3/3 depicts the pumpkin-yellow fruit of ‘MADI-II’growing in open ground and full sunlight at the inventor's nursery. Italso illustrates the light green leaf color and profuse flowering thathas occurred.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following is a detailed botanical description of the new anddistinct variety of Cornus kousa var. chinensis known as ‘MADI-II’ basedupon observations of eight and ten year old specimen trees which aregrowing at the inventor's nursery in Madison, Ohio.

‘MADI-II’ has not been observed under all possible environmentalconditions. Where dimensions, sizes, colors and other characteristicsare given, such characteristics are approximations or averages set forthas accurately as practicable. The phenotype of the variety may differfrom the descriptions set forth herein with variations in environmental,climatic and cultural conditions.

The color determinations have been made by reference to the 2001 editionof The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart except where generalcolor terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used

-   Botanical classification:    -   -   Family.—Cornaceae.        -   Genus.—Cornus.        -   Species.—kousa var. chinensis.-   Variety denomination: ‘MADI-II’-   Common name: Chinese (Kousa) Dogwood-   Use: Specimen ornamental tree.-   Cultural requirements: Well-drained, moist, acidic soil. Drought    intolerant.-   Light requirements: Full sun or partial shade.-   Pests and disease resistance or susceptibility: No less or more    resistant or susceptible to pests or diseases than the species or    other cultivars known to the inventor-   Parentage: Unknown. Obtained as a seedling originating from    uncontrolled pollination of Cornus kousa var. chinensis.-   Plant description:    -   -   Hardiness.—Hardy in USDA (2012) Zone 5b(−15 F).        -   Size and habit.—Ultimate size and shape unknown. Generally            upright shaped as a young plant, the original ten year old            plant is now 4 meters tall and 1.75 meters wide, more narrow            at the top. Plants propagated from it have maintained this            habit and proportions. Lateral branching is layered and            horizontal. A wide range of factors, especially location,            age and if the tree is multi-stem or single stem influence            sizes and diameters of stems and branches. It is not            possible to make a predictable correlation between diameter            of a primary stem and any branch arising from it. However, a            primary stem with a diameter of 9 cm was observed to fork            (55 degree crotch angle) into a smaller limb with a diameter            of 6 cm at a height of 30 cm above the ground. At a height            of 1.5 meters a primary stem of 6 cm was observed to fork            (45 degree crotch angle) into limbs of 4 cm and 2.5 cm            respectively, while another at the same height with diameter            of 5 cm was observed to fork (30 degree crotch angle) into            limbs of 2.5 cm and 3 cm. At a height of 3 meters, various 3            cm stems forked (25 to 30 degree crotch angles) into limbs            averaging 1.5 cm in diameter. Young branches with diameters            averaging 1 cm consistently produced lateral branches            averaging 7.5 mm in diameter and crotch angles of 25            degrees.        -   Growth rate.—Moderate, more rapid in youth. After ten years,            the original plant of ‘MADI-II’ has reached 4 meters in            height. Annual increase to individual branches varies as to            age of plant and location on the plant. Terminal locations            may grow 30-45 cm annually, while laterals 18-30 cm. Under            field conditions in Madison, Ohio, one year old plants            produced by budding typically reach 45-75 cm in height.-   Stems: Initially smooth and gray. On older trees exfoliating to    reveal a patchwork of gray and tan. Whitish lenticels are present on    all bark locations, diminishing somewhat on mature surfaces. Bark on    lower trunk is of the color gray-green (Greyed-Green Group 197-A),    developing gray-orange patchy exfoliation (Greyed-Orange Group    165-C) by the time the plant has reached eight years of age.-   Branches: Branching is opposite. One year twigs are Greyed-Orange    Group 177-B, whereas two year old branches are Greyed-Orange Group    165-A. The final 2.5-10 cm of the twig, exclusive of terminal buds    is green (Yellow-Green Group 144-C).-   Leaves: Deciduous, opposite, elliptic-ovate with acuminate tips and    cuneate bases, 8-11 cm long and 5-7 cm wide. Petiole 6-12 mm long.    Leaf blades glabrous on top, glaucous with scattered tuffs of hair    in the leaf axils underneath. Newly emerging leaves in the spring    exhibit yellow-green (Yellow-Green Group 144-B), darkening to green    (Green Group 143-A) with lighter center vein and ribs (Yellow-Green    Group 151-B). Undersides exhibit Yellow-Green Group 148-C. This is    the prevailing color until the onset of autumn, when the leaves turn    a yellow-orange (Yellow-Orange Group 21-A).-   Buds: Are of two types — Globose, tapering flower buds averaging 9    mm in length by 5 mm in width at the base, color gray-brown    (Greyed-Brown Group 199-A); and sharply tapering , triangular    vegetative buds averaging 2-4 mm in length and 2 mm in width at the    base, color brown (Brown Group 200-B). Immediately below most flower    buds and encircling the nodes containing axillary leaf buds, either    all or in part, may be found a green (Yellow-Green Group 144-C)    collar approximately 3-5 mm in width.-   Flowers: True flowers are greenish and inconspicuous, found in a    domed, central umbel approximately 1 cm wide and 1 cm high. These    flowers are flanked by four partially overlapping, tapered, white    bracts, forming a four-pointed, and symmetrical star characterizing    each individual inflorescence. Mature bracts most closely resemble    Green-White Group 155-D. Bracts average 4.5-5.0 cm long by 3.4-4.0    cm wide, thereby producing an inflorescence with an overall width of    9.0-10.5 cm. Flowering commences last week of May to the first week    of June in Madison, Ohio, lasting about 6 weeks. Depending on    general vigor and cultural conditions, the typical floral display is    profuse, borne towards the outside of the plant and above the    foliage on pedicels averaging 7.0-8.5 cm in length.-   Fruits: Drupes, edible, fleshy in nature (syncarp), globose, 1.9-3.1    cm in diameter, pendulous, suspended on a 5-6 cm pedicel. Color is    atypical for the species. Newly formed fruit are green but by early    autumn are transitioning to yellow (Yellow-Orange Group 17-B). When    fully mature they are a pumpkin-yellow (Orange Group 25-A).-   Seeds: Four to six per fruit, hard, round but irregular in shape,    4-6 mm in length, 3-5 mm in width.

1. A new and distinct variety of Cornus kousa var. chinensis plant named‘MADI-II’, substantially as described and illustrated herein